Latest Lifestyle

Home > Health > Health Advice > What New Uk Surgeon Ratings Mean For You

What new UK surgeon ratings mean for you

Written By Julie Powell | 20 November 2014

About to have an operation? The NHS has just published consultant outcome data giving ratings for any UK surgeon. But just how helpful are they for patients?

The NHS has introduced ratings and public outcome data for surgeons in the UK – would you want to know your surgeon’s ‘success rate’?

We’ve got used to feedback and reviews for hotels and restaurants – but consultants? Now a new online site, My NHS, will allow patients to check up on the person doing their op.

The consultant outcome data shows the results of around 5,000 consultants – including how many times they have performed a particular surgical procedure, and complication, mortality and readmission rates, as well as statistics on local hospital performance.

Is this a good thing?

High risks mean higher ratesOur consultant doctor Sarah Jarvis explained that although it offers transparency, ‘Some hospitals are considered to have particular expertise in certain disease areas or operations. These hospitals or consultants may therefore be referred the most complicated cases, where other hospitals don’t feel entirely confident taking them on.

‘This in turn could mean that a hospital or consultant would seem to have a high complication rate, not because they aren’t good, but because the patients are at highest risk of complications.’

Other checks you can make
1. Take a look at Dr Foster’s Hospital Guide to check up on the mortality rate (HSMR) for hospitals. An HSMR of 100 is average, so it’s a warning if the figure is substantially higher.

2. Click on NHS Choices to see what both staff and patients think. Go to nhs.uk, type in the name of the hospital and then click on reviews and ratings.

3. Remember you can choose to go to any hospital, not just the handful that are offered by your local Choose and Book service, unless it’s an emergency or you’re a maternity patient.

4. Bupa Consultant and Facilities Finder is a free online directory that allows you to search for Bupa-recognised private consultants, therapists and hospitals. Finder is available to everyone, not just Bupa customers, at www.finder.bupa.co.uk.